Abstract: An apparatus for ablating tissue within a treatment region includes an ultrasound treatment transducer (36, 36′) for orienting at a first longitudinal orientation and a first angular orientation (40, 42) within the treatment region (26), for orienting at the first longitudinal orientation and a second angular orientation (40, 42) within the treatment region, and for orienting at a second longitudinal orientation and the first angular orientation (40, 42) within the treatment region, and a drive system for exciting (via conductors 46) the transducer (36, 36′) to ablate tissue (60) oriented adjacent the first longitudinal orientation and the first angular orientation within the treatment region (26), adjacent the first longitudinal orientation and the second angular orientation within the treatment region (26), and adjacent the second longitudinal orientation and the first angular orientation within the treatment region (26), respectively.

Abstract: An apparatus for ablating tissue within a treatment region includes an ultrasound treatment transducer (36, 36′) for orienting at a first longitudinal orientation and a first angular orientation (40, 42) within the treatment region (26), for orienting at the first longitudinal orientation and a second angular orientation (40, 42) within the treatment region, and for orienting at a second longitudinal orientation and the first angular orientation (40, 42) within the treatment region, and a drive system for exciting (via conductors 46) the transducer (36, 36′) to ablate tissue (60) oriented adjacent the first longitudinal orientation and the first angular orientation within the treatment region (26), adjacent the first longitudinal orientation and the second angular orientation within the treatment region (26), and adjacent the second longitudinal orientation and the first angular orientation within the treatment region (26), respectively.

Abstract: A method of treatment by ultrasound comprises providing a first, ultrasound field intensity-to-voltage transducer sized for insertion into the vicinity of a treatment site and a second ultrasound treatment transducer. The free field intensities created by the second transducer in response to various second transducer exciting signal levels are determined. The first transducer outputs in the free field in response to various second transducer exciting signal levels are also determined. The first transducer is inserted into the vicinity of the treatment site, and the second transducer is positioned to create an ultrasound field at the treatment site. The distance from the second transducer to the first transducer is determined. An exciting signal is applied to the second transducer. The output of the first transducer is determined.

Abstract: A method of treatment by ultrasound comprises providing a first, ultrasound field intensity-to-voltage transducer sized for insertion into the vicinity of a treatment site and a second ultrasound treatment transducer. The free field intensities created by the second transducer in response to various second transducer exciting signal levels are determined. The first transducer outputs in the free field in response to various second transducer exciting signal levels are also determined. The first transducer is inserted into the vicinity of the treatment site, and the second transducer is positioned to create an ultrasound field at the treatment site. The distance from the second transducer to the first transducer is determined. An exciting signal is applied to the second transducer. The output of the first transducer is determined.

Abstract: A method of treatment of tissue with focussed ultrasound comprises placing adjacent the tissue to be treated a reflector of ultrasound or an ultrasound energy conversion device which converts received ultrasound energy to heat, stores the heat and then releases the heat over time into the tissue to be treated. An ultrasound transducer is then oriented with its focal point adjacent the reflector or ultrasound energy conversion device. The tissue is then irradiated with high intensity focussed ultrasound while the reflector or ultrasound energy conversion device is in place.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer for use with an ultrasound brain lesioning system includes an acoustic focusing lens, a piezoelectric transducer plate disposed in spaced relation with the focusing lens, an acoustic coupling medium disposed between the focusing lens and the transducer, and a pressurized fluid contacting the rear surface of the transducer to maintain a spaced relation between the transducer plate and the back surface of the lens. An electrical excitation signal is supplied to the transducer to promote production of an ultrasonic signal by the transducer.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for visualization and treatment of transcutaneous and intraoperative sites includes in combination a visualization transducer and a treatment transducer, each of which are movable with both linear and rotary degrees of freedom. Movement of each transducer is by various motor and geared drive arrangements wherein certain degrees of freedom for one transducer are separate and independent from the degrees of freedom for the other transducer. At least one degree of freedom for each transducer is common and the transducers are moved concurrently.One arrangement of the transducer combination is for prostate treatment and includes a specific shape and configuration for anatomical considerations and a control unit which is operable external to the patient to control both transducers and a reflective scanner which are inserted into the patient as part of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A method for rendering a gallbladder dysfunctional without surgical removal comprises the steps of infusing the gallbladder with methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE), then, while the gallbladder is so infused, irradiating the gallbladder with an ultrasound beam in such an ultrasound delivery format as not to elevate the average temperature of the gallbladder more than five degrees Centigrade over the period of treatment, and then removing the MTBE from the gallbladder.

Abstract: A catheter assembly comprises a stylus including a first generally conically shaped end tapering to a point at a predetermined angle and a second end. A cannula includes a first lumen for slidably receiving the stylus. The cannula includes a first end having an end wall and a second end. A catheter includes a second lumen for slidably receiving the cannula, a first end and a second end. The first end of the catheter includes an end wall having an outer surface tapered at the predetermined angle and an inner surface. The stylus, cannula, and catheter are configured so that the stylus, cannula, and catheter are aligned when the stylus, cannula and catheter are assembled for insertion into a patient's body.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for visualization and treatment of transcutaneous and intraoperative sites includes in combination a visualization transducer and a treatment transducer, each of which are movable with both linear and rotary degrees of freedom. Movement of each transducer is by various motor and geared drive arrangements wherein certain degrees of freedom for one transducer are separate and independent from the degrees of freedom for the other transducer. At least one degree of freedom for each transducer is common and the transducers are moved concurrently.One arrangement of the transducer combination is for prostate treatment and includes a specific shape and configuration for anatomical considerations and a control unit which is operable external to the patient to control both transducers and a reflective scanner which are inserted into the patient as part of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound brain lesioning system with ultrasound, CT or MRI site localization includes a skull fixation apparatus, a position data translating fixture and a computer-controlled ultrasound transducer. The skull fixation apparatus is utilized in combination with ultrasound, CT or MRI scan transparencies and with a digitizing tablet in order to transfer transparency data both as to skull fixation benchmarks and tumor locations into a computer. The transducer is cooperatively arranged with the translating system such that the benchmarks of the skull fixation apparatus are utilized to derive X, Y and Z linear coordinates and two rotary coordinates which are at right angles to one another which are also input into the computer such that the computer is then capable of automatically driving the transducer and positioning it at the appropriate location for producing volume lesions in the brain at the site of the identified brain tumors or other selected tissues.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for non-invasively decomposing a calculus in a human body include a mechanism for, and the step of, locating the calculus, a mechanism for, and the step of, delivering to the site of the calculus a chemical species known to reduce the calculus, and a mechanism for, and the step of, generating an unfocussed beam of ultrasound radiation for insonating the calculus for enhancing the chemical dissolution of the calculus through the interaction of the calculus, the chemical species and the ultrasound radiation.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for visualization and treatment of transcutaneous and intraoperative sites includes in combination a visualization transducer and a treatment transducer, each of which are movable with both linear and rotary degrees of freedom. Movement of each transducer is by various motor and geared drive arrangements wherein certain degrees of freedom for one transducer are separate and independent from the degrees of freedom for the other transducer. At least one degree of freedom for each transducer is common and the transducers are moved concurrently.One arrangement of the transducer combination is for prostate treatment and includes a specific shape and configuration for anatomical considerations and a control unit which is operable external to the patient to control both transducers and a reflective scanner which are inserted into the patient as part of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: It has been observed that attenuation of a transmitted or reflected beam of ultrasound in tissue irradiated with such a beam having a power intensity in the tissue in the non-linear range will change measurably as the tissue temperature changes. Based upon this observation, a method and apparatus for non-invasive thermometry include periodically interrogating the tissue with an ultrasonic beam having a power intensity sufficient such that the power intensity of the beam in the tissue is in the non-linear range. Attenuation coefficients based upon the attenuation of the power intensity of the ultrasonic beam due to the tissue are then periodically determined. Temperature changes in the tissue are determined based upon differences between the determined attenuation coefficients.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing ultrasound detection of implantable or insertable devices which can be placed in bodies. The method includes the steps of providing a space in the device having a substantially gas-impermeable wall, and filling the space with a gas. A medically implantable or insertable device having an enhanced ultrasound detectability is also provided. The device includes a substantially gas-impermeable portion which defines a space. The space is filled with a gas or mixture of gases to enhance ultrasound detection, and determination of the location of the device.

Abstract: A heat-sterilizable ultrasonic surgical scanner includes an ultrasonic transducer and a permanent magnet motor for moving the transducer along an arcuate path. The scanner further includes a housing for the ultrasonic transducer and the motor. The housing includes an acoustically transparent window for transmitting ultrasonic energy from and into the housing. A resilient diaphragm permits expension and contraction of a coupling fluid with which the housing is filled without causing fluid loss from the housing due to leakage. The resilient diaphragm is mounted at a location remote from the acoustically transparent window.

Abstract: A puncturing device for insertion into the body, which has an ultrasonically coded displacement scale of gaseous inclusions regularly spaced along the length of the device. Owing to the acoustic reflectiveness of the gaseous inclusions, the precise location of the puncturing device can be directly and readily detected by an ultrasound visualization system. The acoustically reflective displacement scale enables the calibration of distances to be made directly from the ultrasound viewing screen. Located at the tip of the puncturing device is a gaseous inclusion which reveals the precise location of the tip of the device in the body.

Abstract: A heat-sterilizable ultrasonic surgical scanner includes an ultrasonic transducer and a permanent magnet motor for moving the transducer along an arcuate path. The scanner further includes a housing for the ultrasonic transducer and the motor. The housing includes an acoustically transparent window for transmitting ultrasonic energy from and into the housing. A resilient diaphragm permits expansion and contraction of a coupling fluid with which the housing is filled without causing fluid loss from the housing due to leakage. The resilient diaphragm is mounted at a location remote from the acoustically transparent window.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound visualization system which has a capability of microscopic examination of tissue within the body without the need for removal of the tissue. A transducer, capable of producing and receiving high frequency acoustical beams is positioned within a needle. The acoustical beams are directed radially from the needle and are focused on a point which is outside of the needle and in the tissue. The microscope can be operated in either the pulse echo or pulse reflection mode. The needle can be inserted into a patient, and the acoustical beams are scanned to produce highly magnified images of cellular features of internal tissue or features of tissue architecture and structure helpful to the determination of tissue pathology.

Abstract: A direct water coupling device for ultrasound scanning of the human breast in a supine position. A tank, which has an open top and an open bottom and has a bottom edge which is shaped so as to conform to the shape of a human body about the perimeter of the breast area, is placed in a sealed position about the breast while the patient is in a supine position. A strapping apparatus maintains the device in position while the tank is filled with water and the ultrasound scan is performed.